Charli XCX Speaks Out After Berlin Party Sparks Ukraine Controversy
What began as a glamorous film festival celebration in Berlin has now turned into an international controversy involving pop star Charli XCX, alleged Russian cultural ties and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The British singer attended an official afterparty following the premiere of her mockumentary film “The Moment” at the Berlin International Film Festival. The celebration was organized by Russian model and DJ Anastasia Shevtsova, known professionally as Petit. At first glance, it appeared to be another high-profile industry gathering. But scrutiny quickly followed.
Investigations by Ukrainian outlet UNITED24 Media linked Shevtsova’s family to cultural initiatives operating in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Her mother, Zhanna Shevtsova, is associated with a foundation that has reportedly collaborated with Russia’s Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. That fund has supported programs in areas of eastern Ukraine currently under Russian control, including Donetsk and Mariupol. According to reports, projects under that umbrella have included cultural festivals and film screenings aimed at children living in those occupied regions.
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As those details circulated, Ukrainian artists and activists voiced outrage. They argued that any cultural event connected, even indirectly, to structures aligned with the Kremlin risks normalizing or legitimizing Russia’s presence in occupied Ukrainian territories. Appeals were reportedly made to reconsider the Berlin event, but the afterparty went ahead as planned.
Charli XCX has since addressed the backlash. In a public statement, she said neither she nor her team were aware of any alleged affiliations surrounding the event’s organizer. She also made her position clear, stating that she stands against the actions of the Russian government in Ukraine and stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
This matters because culture and entertainment are no longer separate from geopolitics. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, artists, festivals and institutions across Europe have faced intense pressure over who they platform and partner with. Questions of soft power, influence and accountability have become central to public debate.
“The Moment,” which premiered earlier at Sundance, is also set for theatrical release in Russia. That distribution decision adds another layer of complexity, as global artists navigate markets while war continues in Europe.
For Charli XCX, this is now more than a film premiere. It is a reminder that in today’s world, every stage, every partnership and every appearance can carry political weight.
Stay with us as this story develops and as the broader conversation around culture, accountability and the war in Ukraine continues to unfold.
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